Foundation garment



Oct. 19, 1965 AQI. SHELDON 3,212,504

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALMA I SHELDON Oct. 19, 1965 A. l. SHELDON 3,212,504

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4

INVENTOR. ALMA L SHELDON GLWQWJ United States Patent 3,212,504 FOUNDATION GARMENT Alma I. Sheldon, Jackson, Mich., assignor to S. H. Camp & Company, Jackson, MiClL, a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 224,303 8 Claims. (31. 128-528) The invention pertains to a foundation garment, and particularly relates to a foundation garment of the abdominal support type, and is particularly advantageous as employed as a maternity support.

A basic object of the invention is to provide an abdominal support of the type wherein a sheath envelops the body of the wearer, wherein the garment will adjust to the wearer both in length and girth dimensions, and wherein such adjustment provides support and comfort in the abdominal region even during the extensive variation of the wearers anterior measurements as occurs during pregnancy.

Another object of the invention is to provide an abdominal maternity support which is particularly effective in the support of the vulva region in that an elastic crotch member extends from the back of the garment to the front thereof, and is so constructed and attached to the support front that the crotch member supports both the vulva and the lower abdominal regions during progressive development of the abdomen.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anatomical support for the abdominal regions for use during pregnancy wherein the front portion of the garment stretches both horizontally and vertically to avoid compression of the abdomen. Also, improved support is obtained by the use of an additional abdominal support panel which provides auxiliary support of the lower and side abdominal regions.

These and other objects of the invention arising from the details of the components and the relationships of an embodiment thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the garment,

FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of the garment,

FIGS. 3 through are views of the garment as turned inside out wherein FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the inside of the front of the garment,

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the inside of the back of the garment, and

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the inside of the front of the garment prior to sewing the front portion of the crotch member to the front and side panels.

The general exterior appearance and construction of the garment in accord with the invention will be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2. Generally, the garment consists of a sheath member having upper and lower edges and -12, and consists of a rear or back panel 14, 'FIG. 2, a pair of side panels 16, and a front panel 18. As will later be described in detail, a crotch member is afiixed at one end to the rear panel 14 at the bottom edge thereof, and at the other end to the front and side panels at the front of the garment.

Preferably, the back panel 14 is formed of a fabric which is nonelastic in the horizontal or girth direction, but is elastic and stretchable in the vertical direction. The upper edges of the back, side and front panels are sewn to an elastic band 22 and the lower edges of the panels are sewn to the two-piece elastic band 24, as will be described later. The lower edge of the back panel 14 is of a concave arcuate configuration, as is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 5.

The side panels 16 are preferably formed of an elastic fabric of relatively strong resistance to extension which is elastic in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

3,212,504 Patented Oct. 19, 1965 "ice The side panels are sewn at one lateral edge to the lateral edges of the back panel as at 26, FIG. 2, and, as mention above, are sewn to the elastic bands 22 and 24 at the upper and lower edges thereof. As will be apparent from FIG. 1, the lateral edges of the side panels 16, which are located upon the front of the wearer, are of a concave configuration wherein the side panels extend about the wearer to a greater degree adjacent the band 24 than at the band 22 so that a generally U-configuration front panel 18 is required to complete the sheath.

The front panel 18 is, as mentioned above, of a generally U-shaped configuration wherein the upper edge thereof is sewn to the band 22 and the lower edge thereof is affixed to the band 24. The front panel is preferably formed of an elastic fabric capable of extension and contraction both horizontally and vertically, having a resistance to extension somewhat less than that of the fabric of the side panels. Stitching at 28 aflixes the lateral sides of the front panel 18 to those of the side panels to complete the sheath configuration of the garment.

To provide additional support to the lower and side regions of the abdomen, a peripheral support panel 30, also formed of an elastic fabric similar to that of the front panel 18, is sewn to the lateral front edges of the side panels by stitching 28, and is also sewn to the bands 22 and 24. The peripheral support panel 30 is superimposed over the exterior surface of the front panel 18 and is provided with a U-shaped opening 32 whereby the panel 30 forms an additional support element adjacent the periphery of the lateral sides and bottom of the front panel. The opening 32 of the peripheral support panel is bound by an elactic edging 34. It will be noted that the opening 32 of the peripheral support panel is so located that the opening is centrally related to the abdomen, and will provide support to the bottom and sides thereof, as the abdomen enlarges during pregnancy.

A crotch member 20 is formed of an elastic fabric which may be similar to that of the front and peripheral support panels, and includes a rear portion 36 and a front portion 38. The rear portion 36 is formed with a convex edge conforming to the concave shape of the lower edge of the back panel 14 whereby the rear edge of the crotch member may be sewn to the lower edge of the back panel, as at 40, FIG. 4. The front portion 38 of the crotch member is provided with a concave edge 42.

The lower elastic band 24 actually consists of two band members 44 and 46, respectively, FIG. 5, each band member having an end terminating at the bottom of the front panel and the ends of the band being overlapped at this location. Thereupon, the band members 44 and 46 are sewn to the lower edges of the front and side panels and extend over the lateral edges of the crotch member terminating short of the concave edge 42, as will be apparent from FIG. 5. This construction leaves lateral edge portions 48 of the crotch member without edging. The portions 48 of the crotch member are sewn to the side panels at the junction of the side and front panels by stitching 28, a portion 48 being sewn to each side panel wherein the crotch member front portion 38 will extend across the inside of the front panel 18, as will be appreciated from FIG. 3. The portions 48 are sewn to the side panel at a location approximately centrally intermediate the bands 22 and 24, as will be apparent from FIG. 3. Also, the edge 42 is sewn to the front panel 18 at 50. By attaching the front portion 38 of the crotch member 20 to the front of the sheath substantially centrally between the upper and lower portions thereof, the crotch member will provide support of the vulva region and the fact that the front portion 38 of the crotch member bridges the front panel will additionally provide support at that portion of the lower abdominal region wherein the need for such support is the greatest.

The elastic bands 22 and 24 are preferably provided with a nonchafing inner surface and, thus, the leg openings defined by the crotch member and side panels will not chafe the wearer. Stocking clips 52 of conventional construction may be sewn to the lower band 24 for the support of hose.

The fabric of the side panels 16, front panel 18, peripheral support panel 30, and crotch member 20 is described as being of an elastic fabric capable of extension and contraction in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Elastic fabric of this type usually consists of parallel primary elastic strands or threads interconnected by secondary extendible strands or fibers. Thus, such fabric has a greater capacity for extension in the direction parallel to the primary strands than in any other direction. In the drawings, the direction of the primary strands is indicated by the parallel lines, and it will be apparent that the side panel fabric is oriented to locate the primary strands in the horizontal direction. The front panel primary strands are obliquely related to the horizontal to provide extensive stretch in both the length and girth, and the primary strands of the peripheral support panel 30 and crotch member are vertical- 1y disposed. The illustrated fabric arrangement provides a most effective distribution of elastic support forces within the garment, particularly in the lower front region between seam 50 and band 24, where primary support is desired.

It will be appreciated that the garment of the invention provides a unique and efficient support of the abdominal region. The front panel 18 provides a support through out the front of the garment which will be in engagement with the abdomen. The peripheral support panel 30 provides auxiliary support at the lower and side regions of the abdomen, and is of particular advantage in a maternity garment, as in the later stages of pregnancy wherein support of the abdomen in these regions is particularly desirable and necessary. The vulva is effectively supported by the elastic crotch, a most important feature in a maternity support, and the lower regions of the abdomen will be further supported by the front region of the crotch member in that the connection of the crotch member to the side panels and the forming of the crotch member of the elastic fabric renders the crotch member an active abdomen-supporting element. The use of elastic fabric permits the side, front, and peripheral support panels to adjust to the form of the wearer, and likewise, the crotch member will conform, as it is also formed of an elastic fabric material. It is also appreciated that effective abdominal support can be obtained without employing the crotch member, and such a construction is within the scope of the invention.

It is understood that various modifications to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A foundation garment adapted to provide abdominal support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath having upper and lower marginal edges and including a back panel, side panels and a front panel having lateral edges, said front panel being of a generally U-configuration, said front panel being formed of an elastic fabric aflixed at its lateral edges to said side panels and interposed therebetween and extending the height of said sheath between said upper and lower marginal edges, and a separate peripheral support panel disposed about the periphery of said front panel and attached to said side panels, said support panel overlying the periphery of said front panel and having a central opening defined therein, said peripheral support panel being formed of an elastic fabric.

2. A foundation garment adapted to provide both abdominal and vulva support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath having upper and lower edges, a back panel, side panels and a front panel, said front panel :being of a generally U-configuration having lateral edges, said front panel being formed of an elastic fabric and aflixed at its lateral edges to said side panels and interposed therebetween and extending the height of said sheath between said upper and lower edges, a peripheral support panel superimposed over the side and lower periphery of said front panel attached to said side panels and having a central opening defined therein, said peripheral support panel being formed of an elastic fabric, a crotch member of elastic fabric having front and rear portions, said rear crotch portion being affixed to said back panel, and said crotch front portion being affixed to said side panels intermediate said upper and lower edges and extending across said front panel.

3. A foundation garment adapted to provide both abdominal and vulva support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath having upper and lower edges consisting of a back panel, a pair of side panels and a front panel, said side and front panels being formed of elastic fabric, said front panel extending from the upper to the lower edges of said sheath and affixed to and interposed between said side panels, a peripheral support panel of elastic fabric afiixed to said side panels and superimposed over the side and lower periphery of said front panel, an opening centrally defined in said peripheral support panel, said support panel being of generally U- configuration wherein the sides of the support panel are disposed adjacent said side panels and the base of the support panel is disposed adjacent the lower edge of said sheath, an elastic fabric crotch member having front and rear portions, said rear crotch portion being affixed to said back panel and said front portion being disposed across said front panel and affixed to said side panels at the junction of said side and front panels at a location intermediate the upper and lower edges of said sheath.

4. In a foundation garment as in claim 3, wherein the front portion of said crotch member includes a concave end and said concave end is affixed to said front panel at a location vertically above the lower portion of said peripheral support member panel opening.

5. In a foundation garment as in claim 3, wherein said side panels are formed of an elastic fabric of greater resistance to extension than the fabric of said front and peripheral support panels.

6. A foundation garment adapted to provide abdominal support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath having upper and lower edges consisting of a back panel, a pair of side panels and a front panel, said side and front panels being formed of elastic fabric, said front panel extending from the upper to the lower edges of said sheath and aflixed to and interposed between said side panels, a peripheral support panel of elastic fabric affixed to said side panels and superimposed over said front panel, an opening centrally defined in said peripheral support panel, said support panel being of generally U-configuration wherein the sides of the support panel are disposed adjacent said side panels and the base of the support panel is disposed adjacent the lower edge of said sheath, the elastic fabric of said panels including primary strands wherein the fabric extension is greatest in the longitudinal direction of said strands, the primary strands of said side panels being parallel to the girth of the garment, the primary strands of said front panel being obliquely disposed to the girth and length of the garment, and the primary strands of the peripheral support panel being disposed parallel to the length of said garment.

7. A foundation garment adapted to provide both abdominal and vulva support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath having front and rear portions and upper and lower edges, said front portion including an elastic front panel extending the height of said sheath between said upper and lower edges and having a lower region, a crotch member of elastic fabric having front and rear portions, means affixing the rear portion of said crotch member to the rear portions of said sheath, said crotch member front portion being superimposed on said front panel lower region, and means attaching the front portion of said crotch member to said lower region of said front panel intermediate the upper and lower edges of said sheath.

8. A foundation garment adapted to provide both abdominal and vulva support comprising, in combination, a body-enveloping sheath including side panels having front edges, a rear portion and upper and lower edges, a front panel of elastic fabric constituting a front portion of said sheath, said front panel extending the height of said sheath between said upper and lower edges and having a lower region and lateral edges sewed to said side panel front edges, a crotch member of elastic fabric" having front and rear portions, means attaching the rear portion of said crotch member to the rear portion of said sheath, said crotch member front portion being superimposed on said front panel lower region, and means attaching the front portion of said crotch member to said front panel lateral edges intermediate said sheath upper and lower edges.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,913 9/39 Bullinger 128-54O 2,661,002 12/53 Silverrnan 128--526 2,854,006 9/58 Geimer 12s- 541 2,955,598 10/60 Blatt 12s-579 2,955,599 10/60 Blatt 12s 579 15 3,080,869 3/63 Alberts "128-542 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiner. 

2. A FOUNDATION GARMENT ADAPTED TO PROVIDE BOTH ABDOMINAL AND VULVA SUPPORT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BODY-ENVELOPING SHEATH HAVING UPPER AND LOWER EDGES, A BACK PANEL, SIDE PANELS AND A FRONT PANEL, SAID FRONT PANEL BEING OF A GENERALLY U-CONFIGURATION HAVING LATERAL EDGES, SAID FRONT PANEL BEING FORMED OF AN ELASTIC FABRIC AND AFFIXED AT ITS LATERAL EDGES TO SAID SIDE PANELS AND INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN AND EXTENDING THE HEIGHT OF SAID SHEATH BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER EDGES, A PERIPHERAL SUPPORT PANEL SUPERIMPOSED OVER THE SIDE AND LOWER PERIPHERY OF SAID FRONT PANEL ATTACHED TO SAID SIDE PANELS AND HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING DEFINED THEREIN, SAID PERIPHERAL SUPPORT PANEL BEING FORMED OF AN ELASTIC FABRIC, A CROTCH MEMBER OF ELASTIC FABRIC HAVING FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS, SAID REAR CROTCH PORTION BEING AFFIXED TO SAID BACK PANEL, AND SAID CROTCH FRONT PORTION BEING AFFIXED TO SAID SIDE PANELS INTERMEDIATE SAID UPPER AND LOWER EDGES AND EXTENDING ACROSS SAID FRONT PANEL. 